System of teledynamic control



J. H. HAMMOND, JR- SYSTEM OF TELEDYNAMIC CONTROL. APPLICATION FILED APR. 3,19I3- RENEWED SEPT. 22, I916.

Patented J 11116 6, 192 2.

J@ 1EIAYS ND, JR, OE GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SYSTEM OF TELEDWNAMIC GONTRGIJ.

L JHSJQQ.

Application filefl,.Aprtl 8, 1918, serial No. 759,612.

sachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems of Tele 1 dynamic Control, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to systems for controlling and operating mechanisms and ap paratus at a distance, and relates more particularly to a system of multiple control, in which two or more torpedoes or other craft can be controlled and operated simultane- 5 ously from a distant station, or in which apparatus on a master vessel can be operated from a distant station, and can in turn control and operate apparatus and mechanisms on one or more auxiliary vessels.

0 In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 shows, in diagrammatic form, an application of my system, in which three torpedoes, or similar vessels, are controlled and operated simultaneously, it being understood 5 that there is a transmitting station capable of sending out tuned electrical oscillations to be received by the receiving station on one of the vessels.

Fig. 2 shows an end view of a cable reel 0 and spring, forming a detail of my system. Fig. 3 shows a side view of this cable reel.

In Fig. 1, X is a submarine or submersi -ble vessel containing areceiving station for radiant energy. X is a torpedo or other 5 submarine vessel connectedv with X by a cable'W containing an insulated conductor, and X is another torpedo 'or other vessel connected with X by a cable W. X may be called the master vessel and X and X auxiliary vessels, A is a receiving antenna, in

circuit with the inductance coil L and variable condenser C and grounded at E. The oscillation circuit L C comprising the induc tance coil L and variable condenser C is 5 coupled to the antenna circuit by means of the coils L and L and both this oscillation circuit and the antenna circuit are tuned to the wave length of the cor esponding trans- 'mitting station. By means of the stopping 0 condenser D and the rectifier R, unidirec-' tional current impulses are supplied to the relay F, which, when actuated,.allows.cur rentto flow from battery B through circuits 1 and 2 to the electromagnet G. K is a rota- 5 table cylindrical commutator, operated by the electromagnet G'in the magner described specification of Letters Patent.

contacts on the commutator Patented June (E5, 1922.

kene'wefl'september 22, 1916. Serial No. 121,889.

in various other applications of mine for Unlted States Letters Patent, such as Serial.

Nos. 750,983 and 755,841. On the commutator K are contact pieces, in pairs, with neutral spaces between them, and these contact pieces make contact with brushes which are connected with the cirucuits 5, 6 and 7. Circuit 5 connects with electromagnet M, circuit 7 with electromagnet M and circuit 6 is a return circuit from-both these electromagnets containing the batte B The are so ar-. ranged that electromagnets M and M are energized alternately, and never at the same time, and so that there is a neutral position of the commutator when neither electromagnet is energized.

Electromagnets M and M control the operation of valves U and U respectively, and

these valves regulate the admission of com-- pressed air, or other suitable fluid, from the tank T into the cylinder 0. Accordin as to which valve is operated, the piston in cylinder 0 moves to the right or to the left, and being attached by means vof the piston rod Q to the helm S, the latter is moved to starboard or to port, and so turns the rudder Y to port or to starboard. The springs Z and Z tend to keep the helm and the rudder in a central position amidships and bring them' back to this central position when the valves cease to operate.

The details of the above described mechanisms are more fully shown and described in my application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 750,983, above cited, and I may employ other forms of mechanisms, suitable for my purposes such for instance, as shown in my application, Serial No. 755,841. k

A branch circuit 3 runs from the relay F to the brush J, which bears against a circular conducting strip on' the cable reel H, on which is wound a portion of the cable W, the endof the conductor in cable W being in electrical contact with the strip against which the brush J bears. The cable W runsto the torpedo X and is there connected with a battery B which is connected. with the relay F Circuit 4, connecting relay F with ground E and circuit 8, connecting-relay F with ground E complete the circuit between relays F and F so that whenever relay F is actuated, relay F on torpedo X is actuated at the same time. Batteries B and B are made equal and connected so that their electromotive forces willopp'ose each other, and thus prevent any flow of current through electroma et G and relay F unless relay F actuatecfi Relay F when actuated, allows current to pass from battery B through the electromagnet G K is a'rotat'able cylindrical commutator, operated by the electromagnet G On the commutator K are contact pieces, in pairs, with neutral spaces between them, and thesecontact pieces make contact with brushes which are connected with the circuits 9, 10 and 11. Circuit 9 connects with electromagnet M, circuit 11 with electromagnet M and circuit 10 is a return circuit from both these electromagnets containing: the battery B lectromagnets M and M control the operation of valves U and U respectively, and these valves regulate the admission of compressed air, or other suitable fluid, from the tank T into the cylinder 0 According as to which valve is operated, the piston P in cylinder 0 moves to the right or .to the left, and. being attached by means of the 'piston rod Q to the helm S the latter is moved to starboard or to port, and so turns the rudder Y to port or to starboard. The springs Z and Z! tend to keep the helm and the rudderin a central position amidships. m is a compartment containing explosives.

The details of the above described mechanisms are more :fully shown and described in other applications of mine for United States Letters Patent, such as Serial No. 750,983, above cited, and these mechanisms and apparatus on torpedo X operate at the same time as, and in a similar manner to the corresponding mechanisms and apparatus on vessel X, so that both craft move at the same time and in the same direction.

A branch circuit runs from relay F to a brush J which bears against a circular connected with rela ductingstrip on the cable reel H on which is wound a portion of the cable W, the end of the conductorin cable W being in electrical contact with the strip against which the brush J bearst The cable W runs to the torpedo, or other vessel, X and is there connected with a battery B which is connected with the relay F Ground E connected with relay F and ground E con- F, complete thecircuit through relays 1 and F 2 and cable W so that whenever relay F is actuated, relay F is actuated at the same time. -Batteries B and B! are made equal and connected so that their electromotive'forces will oppose each other, and thus prevent any flow of current through electromagnet G and relay F 2 unless relay F is actuated. Connected with relay F? on vessel X are apparatus and mechanisms similar to those on vessel X, which need not be more particularly described here, so that the movements of vessel X correspond with those of vessel X.

contact. Cable reel H on vessel X is similar to cable reel H, and has a similar s ring, and brush J on vessel X is similar to rush J. These cable reels'and springs are for the purpose of securing more flexibility in the cable connections between the vessels and they will minimize any shocks and strains on the cables and connections.

The cables W and: W may contain complete metallic circuits between the vessels, in which case the grounds E E E and E would be omitted. In somecases the relays F and F v can be omitted, and the mechanisms on the vessels X and X can be op-. erated directly through branch circuits (carried by the cables W and W from relay F. Vessel X might be placed on the side of vessel X opposite from vessel X and might be operated through a cable direct from ves sel X, either in this newpo'sition or in any but preferably I should carry explosives only on my auxiliary vessels, for the master vessel, being the only one with masts, would ofler a target for the, enemy, while the auxiliary vessels, being entirely under water, their position" and even their presence would be entirely unknown to theenemy, against whom they" would" therefore be all the more effective. The master vessel can also have its vital parts protected against rapid fire guns or machine guns by means of armor plate. 1

Instead of having my master vessel controlled from a distance, I can use a sub marine or submersible vessel with one or more persons on board, and controlled by them, and my auxiliaryvessels can be sent ahead of my master vessel, or in any other desired direction, and can be controlled by the crew of my master vessel.

Other forms of mechanism may be used for steering the three vessels X, X and X such as I find suitable for my purposes, and other apparatus for controlling and operating the vessels, in addition to steering them,

may be operated simultaneouslyon the three vessels by-my system; and, in general I do not confine myself to the particular apparatus and mechanisms here shown, but various changes and modifications, within the. knowledge of those skilled in the art, may be made in the particular apparatus shown and described herein, without departing from the spirit of my invention, provided the means.

set forth in the following claims he emplgyed.

aving thus described my invention, I claim I 1. In a system of multiple control for vessels, a primary vessel controlled by radiant energy, a plurality of secondary vessels controlled through electric cables by said prisels, comprising a transmitting station for radiant ener ,a submarine vessel containing a receiving station for radiant energy and apparatus operatively connected with said receiving station for operating said vessel, a plurality of torpedoes electrically connected with said submarine Vessel, and apparatus on each of said torpedoes for operating it, said apparatus being automatically controlled from the submarine vessel.

4. In a system of multiple control for vessels,'a submarine vessel controlled atrom a distance, a plurality of torpedoes connected by electric conductors with said submarine vessel, and automatic means for controlling said topedoes from said submarine vessel.

5. A sy t am of distance control for vessels comprising a transmitting" station for radiant energy, a vessel containing a receiving station for radiant energy and apparatus for steering said vessel, and a plurality of other vessels connected with said first yessel, each vessel comprising separate steering apparatus, said apparatus being automatically controlled from said first vessel. 6. Ina system of multiple control for vessels, a vessel controlled from a distant station, a plurality of auxiliary vessels connected successively by electric cable with said.

first-mentioned vessel, and means for controlling operating mechanisms on said auxiliary vessels successively.

7. In a system of multiple control for vessels, a master vessel, a second .vessel connected by means of an electric conductor .scribed.

with said master vesseL'electric means for controlling said second vessel from said master vessel, a third vessel connected by means of an electric conductor with said second vessel, and electric means for controlling said third vessel from said second vessel.

8. In a system of multiple control for vessels, a master vessel, a plurality of auxiliary vessels at different distances from the master vessel and successively connected therewith by electric cable, meansfor controlling one of the auxiliary vessels direct from the master vessel, and means for controlling the other auxiliary vessels. from each other successively, substantially as de- 9. The combination with a movable body, of means carried thereby and responsiveto radiant energy for controlling the direction 'of movement of said body, a-body movable independently of said first mentioned body, and means carried by said second mentioned body and controlled by said first mentioned means for controlling the direction of movement thereof.

10. The combination'with a movable body, of means carried thereby and responsive to radiant energy for controlling the direction of movement of said body, a body movable independently of said first mentioned body, and functioning means carried by said second mentioned body and controlled by said first mentioned means.

11. The combination with a movable body, of means carried thereby and responsive to radiant energy for controlling the direction of movement of said body, a body movable independently of said first mentioned body, and steering means carried by said second mentioned body andcontrolled by said first mentioned means for controlling the direction of movement of said second mentioned body.

1 12. The combination with a movable body, ofmeans carried thereby and responsive to radiant energy for controlling the direction of movement of said body, a body movable independently of said first mentioned body, and steering means including a rudder carried by said second mentioned body and controlled by said first'men'tioned means for controlling the direction of movement of said second mentioned body.

13. The combination with a movable body, ofjmeans carried thereby and responsive-to electroradiant energy for controlling the direction of movement of said body, a body movable independently of said first mentioned body and means carried by said second mentioned body and controlled by said first mentioned means for controlling the-direction of movement thereof.

14. The combination with a movable body, of means carried thereby and respon- 130 sive to electroradiant energy, for controlling the direction of movement of said body, a body movable independently of said first mentioned body, and functioning means carried by said second mentioned body and controlled by said first mentioned means.

15. The combination with a movable body, of means carried thereby and responsive to electroradiant energy for controlling the direction of movement of said body, a body movable independently of said first mentioned body, and steering means carried by said second mentioned body and controlled by said first mentioned means for controlling the direction of movement of said second mentioned body.

16. The combination with a movable body, of means carried thereby and responsive to electroradiant energy, for controlling the direction of-movement of said body a-body movable independently of said first mentioned body, and steering means including a rudder carriedby said second mentioned body and controlled by said first mentioned means for controlling the direcgign of movement of said second mentioned 17. The combination with a station for the transmission of radiant energy of a plurality of bodies normally freely movable separately and independently of said station, receiving :means upon one of said bodies responsive to radiant energy transmittedfrom said station, and steering means upon another of, said bodies and arranged to be controlled by said receiving means.

18. The combination with two separately movable bodies, of functioning means carried by one of said bodies, a solid electrical conductor operatively connecting said functioning means with the other of said bodies,

and means. responsive to radiant energy on said last mentioned body and acting through said conductor to control said functioning means.

19. In a system for multiple control for vessels, a primary vessel controlled by radiant energy, a. secondary vessel controlled through an electric cable 'by' said,

primary vessel, and automatic means for operating said secondary vessel from said primary vessel.

20. A system of multiple control for vessels, a primary vessel controlled by radiant energy, and a secondary vessel controlled throulgh an electric cable from said primary vesse 21. The combination with a station for the transmission of radiant energy, 'of a primary marine vesel, receiving means carried by said vessel and arranged to respond to'radiant energy from said station to control the direction of movement of said vessel, an auxiliary vessel movable independently of said station and of said primary vessel, means carried by said auxiliary vessel and arranged to be controlled by said receiving means for controlling the direction of movement of said auxiliary vessel.

22. The combination with a station for the transmission of radiant energy, of a primary marine vessel, receivin means carried by said vessel and arranged to radiant energy from said station to control the direction of movement of said vessel, an auxiliary vessel movable independently of said station and of said primary vessel, and means carried by said auxiliary vessel and arrangedto be controlled by said receiving means to cause said auxiliary vessel to be moved at all times in.

a direction substantially parallel to the movement of said primary vessel.

23. The combination with two separately movable bodies, of steering means carried by each of said bodies, and receivin means responsive to radiant energy carrie by one to respond of said bodies and operative to control said 1 steering means on each of saidbodies.

24. The combination with two separately movable bodies, of steering means carried by each of said bodies, and receivin means responsive to radiant energy carrie by one of said bodies and operative to simultaneous control said steering means on each of said bodies.

25. The combination with a station for the transmission of radiant energy, of a primary movable body, receiving means carried by said body and responsive to radiant energy transmitted from said station to control the direction of movement of said body, an auxiliary body movable with respect to said first-mentioned body, receiving means on said auxiliary body and arran ed to control the direction of movement 0% said auxiliary body, and transmission means on said primary movable body and arranged to control sald receiving means u on saidauxiliary body and to be conti'o led as the re sult of the operation of said transmission station.

This specification signed and witnemed this 1st day of April, A. D. 1913.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR. 

